Capital Budget Rundown

The town council heard a capital budget presentation Thursday night from Town Manager Steven Werbner and town staff detailing recommended projects for the upcoming 2012-2013 fiscal year. The projects include:

• Replace 1998 GMC half-ton pick-up with 2012 half-ton pick-up: $25,000 (general fund)
• Replace Dump Truck with 1997 Ford truck with plow and sander: $145,000 (general fund)
• Drainage design on Johnson Road: $25,000 (general fund)
• Remove/replace asbestos floor tile at Tolland Intermediate School: $414,000 (non-referendum notes)
• Driveway/parking lot paving TIS: $130,000 (non-referendum notes)
• Track resurfacing Tolland Middle School: $115,000 (non-referendum notes)
• Lights for stadium field Tolland High School: $300,000 (lights to be reimbursed through private donations)
• Replace 1992 Dodge Ram Utility Body Dump Truck with Versa Lift (to be used for tree trimming maintenance): $57,000 (Capital Non-recurring Fund $44,000 and general fund $13,000)
• Service 140 truck: $85,000 (from Ambulance Fees)
• Emergency back-up power generators: $140,000 (from Ambulance Fees)
• Cross Farms Building with bathrooms/concession: $449,734 (state grants and existing funds)
• Hicks Building Roof, second level: $106,000 (existing HVAC/senior housing project funds)
• Study for improving library and public works buildings: $30,000 (non-referendum notes)
• Construction/reconstruction for drainage: $148,600 (Local Capital Improvement Plan Grant-State and non-referendum notes)
• Road maintenance: $250,000 (Town Aid to Road Grant -State), $230,000 (non-referendum notes), $70,000 (LOCIP)
• Parking Lot Paving: $100,000 (non-referendum notes)
• Neighborhood Roads: $100,000 (non-referendum notes)

Vehicle replacements follow a scheduled replacement plan, according to Werbner. 

Werbner also encouraged the council to consider fully wiring an existing generator at Tolland High School, which would make the facility available as a long-term, larger-capacity shelter during a town emergency.

In regards to town roads, Tolland currently has an average road Pavement Condition Index of 71, according to Gordon Daring of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The town has a backlog of $15,289,542 to fully repair, reconstruct and maintain its 123 miles of paved roads, according to the presentation.

When planning road repairs, early maintenance work is encouraged since it costs around a dollar per square yard, while more intensive work can cost $10-$13 per square yard, which saves money in the long run, Daring said. 

The town's five-year capital budget plan is available on the town's website.